Blue Springs, Mo. – The City of Blue Springs, Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce and the Blue Springs Economic Development Corporation will be hosting the first ‘How to Open and Grow a Business in Blue Springs’ Expo on Tuesday, March 24.
This free expo will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Mid-Continent Public Library South Branch, 2220 S Highway 7, and is the first of two free events providing a range of opportunities for entrepreneurs and current business owners. Attendees will be entered into a drawing for gift cards and refreshments will be available.
“This a great opportunity for current and prospective business owners to meet with professional coaches and discuss their business plan, speak with financial institutions and connect with local resources in one location,” said Mayor Carson Ross. “Participants can also learn more about connecting with local business mentors, exporting, market research, government grants, incentives and government procurement.”
A ‘How to Open a Business in Blue Springs’ guide was published in August 2014 as a collaborative effort between the City of Blue Springs, the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce, the Blue Springs Economic Development Corporation and the Jackson County Economic Development Corporation.
Since then, the City, Chamber and EDC have hosted ten presentations discussing the guide at various locations in Blue Springs with residents, high school students, entrepreneurs and current business owners.
“We are excited to see such interest from current and prospective business owners of different backgrounds as they learn about the abundant business resources here in Blue Springs,” said Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce Chair of the Board Carol Baker. “We hope our budding entrepreneurs and established business owners feel empowered and appreciated as they take advantage of this resource.”
Expo representatives currently include: City of Blue Springs; Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce; Blue Springs EDC; Grow Blue Springs; Missouri Small Business & Technology Development Centers; University of Missouri Extension; Mid-Continent Public Library; Blue Springs Downtown Alive!; America’s Community Bank; Bank 21; Central Bank of the Midwest; Lead Bank; UMB Bank; Newmark Grubb Zimmer; Billups, Snyder & Associates and Farmers Insurance of Doug Shrout.
“The success of these events is a direct result of the dedicated partnership between the Chamber, the EDC and the City,” said Blue Springs Economic Development President Bill Essmann. “This event will connect entrepreneurs with resources, including one-on-one question and answer opportunities to help attendee’s start a business and grow their business here in Blue Springs.”
The second expo will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on May 2 at the north branch of the Mid-Continent Public Library.
For more information please contact Kim Nakahodo at 816-655-0497 or visit www.bluespringsgov.com/startbusiness.
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